College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
College of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Sciences
The College of
Oceanic and
Atmospheric
Sciences has a
three-fold mission:
to increase the
world’s store of
knowledge about
the oceans and
atmosphere through
research that
furthers national
atmospheric and
oceanic endeavors;
to transmit this
knowledge to future
scientists by
educating students
for careers in
oceanography,
atmospheric
science, geophysics,
marine resource
management and
related fields; and
to extend this
information on the
atmosphere, the
marine environment
and its natural
resources to the
people of the state,
nation, and the
world to aid in the
wise development
and management of
the oceans and
atmosphere.
S
ince its inception in 1959 as a
department, oceanography at
Oregon State University has
grown to a college with a faculty
of about 100 scientists, all leaders in their
research areas. In 1992, the Department
of Atmospheric Sciences was merged with
the college to form the College of
Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
(COAS). The college is now Oregon’s
principal source of expert knowledge
about the atmosphere and the ocean,
especially the Pacific Northwest, which
has long been the focus of major research
efforts by OSU oceanographers. It
conducts the only comprehensive
oceanographic and atmospheric research
programs in Oregon. Today, research
activities of the college extend throughout the world, and to all oceans. Its
advanced-degree graduates hold oceanographic positions in the United States
and many other countries, as well as
leadership positions in science and
resource management, education, and
the private sector.
COAS is a member of the Joint
Oceanographic Institutions (JOI, Inc.),
which represents the 10 major oceanography schools in the U.S. In fiscal year
2004–05, the college received more than
$27 million in support from research
grants and contracts. In 1991, NASA
selected the college as a data analysis site
for its Earth Observation System (EOS)
project, part of the U.S. Global Change
Research Program. In 1995, the National
Research Council’s Research Doctorate
Programs report ranked OSU’s oceanography graduate program fifth in the U.S.
Students from around the United
States and from other countries are
enrolled in the four graduate programs of
the college. By fall of 2005, over 1,100
advanced degrees in oceanography,
geophysics and atmospheric sciences were
awarded through COAS at OSU.
FACULTY
Professors Abbott, Barnes, Barth,
Batchelder, Chelton (Distinguished),
Christie, Coakley, Cowles, Davis, Duncan,
Egbert, Falkner, Fisk, Freilich, Graham,
Harte, Holman, Klinkhammer, Levine, R.
Miller, Mix, Moum, Nelson, Pisias, Prahl,
Reimers, Samelson, Schultz, B. Sherr, E.
Sherr, Strub, Trehu, Unsworth, Wheeler
Associate Professors Collier, Dever,
Goldfinger, Goni, Hales, Harris, Kosro,
Letelier, Matano, McManus, Nabelek,
Richman, Rushdi, Skyllingstad, Smyth,
Spitz, Torres, Twohy, Vong, Wheatcroft,
Wijesekera
Assistant Professors Benoit-Bird, Chase,
D’Andrea, Haller, Kurapov, Maloney,
Nash, Özkan-Haller, Pegau, Schmittner,
Shaman, Shearman, Stoner, Strutton,
Tepley
Research Associates Boyd, Desiderio,
Erofeev, Erofeeva, James, A. Perlin, N.
Perlin, Pierce, Springer, Stecher, Vanhoff,
Zaron
ADJUNCT APPOINTMENTS
Auyong (OSU), Boehlert (HMSC),
Chadwick (CIMRS), Cone (OSU), Cramer
(OSU), Daly (OSU), Dziak (CIMRS),
Giovannoni (OSU), Heppell (OSU), S.
Heppell (OSU), Hildreth (UO), Hostetler
(OSU), Kent (OSU), Kimerling (OSU),
Langdon (OSU), Law (OSU), Lunch
(OSU), Mate (OSU), Morrissey (OSU),
Nielsen (OSU), Sampson (OSU), C. Smith
(OSU), Steel (OSU), Sylvia (OSU),
Thierstein (OSU), Webster (HMSC),
Wright (OSU)
COURTESY APPOINTMENTS
Adamus (Adamus Resource), Allan (Ore.
Dept. of Geol. and Min. Indus.), Bottom
(Ore. Dept. of Wildlife), Brodeur
(National Marine Fisheries Ser.), Giannelli
(Ctr. for Col. and Eval. Syn), Davis (Nat’l
Marine Fisheries Svc.), DeWitt (EPA),
Dingler (USGS), Embley (NOAA),
Garono (Earth Design Con.), Ha (Univ.
of Pusan, Korea), Hammond (NOAA),
Heimowitz (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser.),
Holbourn (Kiel), Jay (Ore. Graduate
Inst.), Kuhnt (Kiel), Lupton (NOAA),
Markham (Arch Cape), Meissner (UVic),
Parker (ODFW), Peterson, E. (OSU),
Peterson, W. (NOAA), Priest (Ore. Dept.
of Geol. and Min. Indus.), Reysenbach
(Portland State U.), Rumrill (Nat’l
Estuarine Res. Reserve), Sandgathe
(ONR), Schirripa (Nat’l. Marine Fisheries), Schoeberl (NASA), Scholz (EcoTrust),
Sigleo (EPA), Suess (German MRC),
Wakefield (NOAA), Weeks (ODFW),
Wolfe (Cal. State U.)
EMERITUS FACULTY
Allen, Bennett, Byrne, Caldwell, Carey,
Darymple, Deardorff, Decker, de Szoeke,
Dillon, Esbensen, Gates, Good, Gordon
(Associate), Huyer, Keller, Komar, Kulm,
Levi, Mahrt, Miller, Neshyba, Paulson,
Pearcy, Simoneit, Small, Smith, Zaneveld
Undergraduate Minor
Oceanography
Graduate Majors
Atmospheric Sciences
(MA, MS, PhD)
Graduate Areas of Concentration
Atmospheric Chemistry and Pollution
Atmospheric Radiation and Remote
Sensing
Global Climate Dynamics
Large-Scale Dynamics and Planetary
Atmospheres
Turbulence and Convection
Statistical and Applied Meteorology
445
104 COAS
Administration
Building
Oregon State
University
Corvallis, OR
97331-5503
541-737-3504
FAX 541-737-2064
Website: http://
www.coas.
oregonstate.edu/
ADMINISTRATION
Mark R. Abbott
Dean
737-5195
mark@
coas.oregonstate.edu
Michael Freilich
Associate Dean
737-4432
mhf@
coas.oregonstate.edu
Robert A.
Duncan
Associate Dean
Director of Student
Programs
Head Advisor
737-5189
rduncan@
coas.oregonstate.edu
Robert Allan
Assistant Director of
Student Programs
737-1340
rallan@
coas.oregonstate.edu
Jessica Cardinal
Program Coordinator
Native Americans in
Marine and Space
Sciences Program
and Pacific
Traditional
Ecological
Knowledge Program
(NAMSS)
737-4684
jessica.cardinal@
oregonstate.edu,
Michael Harte
Director
Marine Resource
Management
Program
737-1339
mharte@
coas.oregonstate.edu
Pete Zerr
Marine
Superintendent
541-867-0225
zerrp@onid.orst.edu
446
Oregon State University
Geophysics (MA, MS, PhD)
Marine Resource Management
(MA, MS)
Oceanography (MA, MS, PhD)
Graduate Areas of Concentration
Biological Oceanography
Chemical Oceanography
Geological Oceanography
Physical Oceanography
Interdisciplinary Oceanography
Graduate Minors
Atmospheric Sciences
Geophysics
Marine Resource Management
Oceanography
TEACHING AND RESEARCH
The teaching and research programs
within the college are highly interdisciplinary. They emphasize the interdependence of biological, chemical, geological, geophysical, and physical processes
within and under the sea, and their
interactions with atmospheric processes.
Faculty members of the college comprise
groups of scientists representing each of
the basic disciplines involved in the
study of the sea and atmosphere. The
interdisciplinary and informal character
of the college promotes the rapid
exchange of ideas often necessary for
the solution of research or management
problems. Graduate students are
essential participants in carrying out the
research programs of the college.
UNDERGRADUATE OFFERINGS
Undergraduate offerings include courses
at the 100, 200, 300, and 400 level.
Although no oceanography, geophysics,
marine resource management or
atmospheric science undergraduate
majors are available, there are sufficient
offerings to provide interesting courses
to motivated undergraduate students.
Most employment in oceanography,
atmospheric sciences, and geophysics
requires a graduate degree. Students
planning on graduate study in the
college are advised to complete a
baccalaureate degree in a basic natural
science, mathematics, or engineering.
The college provides undergraduates
with the opportunity to become
acquainted with the fields offered
through undergraduate-level courses in
oceanography and atmospheric sciences
taught by leading scientists.
DEGREE PROGRAMS
Although the college provides some
undergraduate courses, it offers
graduate degrees only. Programs leading
to the Master of Science (MS), Master of
Arts (MA), and Doctor of Philosophy
(PhD) degrees are available in atmospheric sciences, geophysics, and in
biological, chemical, geological,
physical, and interdisciplinary oceanography. In addition, the college offers a
master’s degree in marine resource
management.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Graduate study in the college prepares
students for research, teaching, and
management positions in academic,
industrial, and governmental organizations. Branches of the federal government employing atmospheric scientists,
geophysicists, marine resource managers,
and oceanographers include the Navy,
Coast Guard, Department of the
Interior, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National
Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers, and Environmental Protection
Agency.
The main U.S. research effort in
oceanography, atmospheric science, and
geophysics is centered around federal
agency programs or federally funded
programs. Most of the university
research in these fields is supported by
federal grants and contracts. There are
career opportunities in marine and
atmospheric education and research in
many colleges and universities, especially at those institutions in the coastal
and Great Lakes states. Opportunities
for oceanographic and atmospheric
research careers are also found in private
enterprise, especially in businesses
involved with the use of marine and
coastal resources and in which climate
and weather are important influences.
In addition, graduates have also gone
on to successful careers in communications; creative, entrepreneurial enterprises; law and medical schools; and
teaching kindergarten through grade 12.
PROGRAM RECOGNITION
The Western Interstate Commission for
Higher Education (WICHE) has selected
the biological, chemical, geological,
physical, and interdisciplinary oceanography MA, MS and PhD programs, as
well as the marine resource management
master’s program, as among unique or
specialized graduate programs it
coordinates in the Northwest. Residents
of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii,
Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico,
North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah,
Washington, and Wyoming, who major
in these programs, qualify to pay
resident tuition rates at OSU.
RESEARCH VESSELS
The college’s major research vessels, the
R/V Wecoma and the R/V Elakha, are
based at the Hatfield Marine Science
Center in Newport, 50 miles (90 km)
from the Corvallis campus. The
Wecoma, which came into service in
early 1976, is 185 feet long (56.4 meters)
and has space for 18 scientists. It is
especially designed for oceanographic
research and is used mainly for deep
ocean work. The Elakha, which came
into service during the summer of 2000,
is 54 feet long and is used in the near
coastal waters of Oregon out to 50 miles
offshore and includes the navigable
harbors and rivers along the coast.
COMPUTING RESOURCES
The Environmental Computing Center
(ECC) was completed in 1993 to house
the college’s computing resources. For
high performance computing the ECC
provides several supercomputer-class
machines including: two Connection
Machines CM-5/CM-500 massively
parallel supercomputers (32 and 256
processors), an integrated IBM SP-2/RS6000 cluster (13 processors), a SGI
Origin 3400 (10 processors), and a SGI
Origin 3800 (8 processors). For file/
application/print/e-mail services, the
college maintains eight Sun 250- and
450-class systems. All systems are
integrated within COAS’ high-speed
GB optical network, which also includes
approximately 500 desktop workstations, PCs, Macs, a wide variety of input
and output devices, and more than
10 terabytes of disk storage.
A digital media lab contains a variety
of computers, including high-end UNIX
workstations, Intel P4-based PCs, and
Apple G4 Macintosh systems. High
quality black-and-white and color
printers, wide format HP plotters,
Matrox digital editing suites, a CD-ROM
and DVD mastering and etching station
for production of CD-ROMs and DVDs
are also located in the digital media lab.
A visualization lab contains state-ofthe-art computing and video equipment for producing data visualizations
and complete video presentations of
research projects.
An extensive network, connecting
computing equipment within the
college, is linked externally for electronic
communications and remote computing. In the college’s local network
domain, 12 buildings are connected
together via optical fiber cabling so that
sharing of information and utilization
of college computing resources is
maximized. From this local network
domain, the college is connected to the
OSU campus network, which in turn is
connected to the global network of the
Internet, where vast computing
resources (e.g., NCSA, NCAR, UCSD)
can be accessed and over which
worldwide electronic communication is
possible.
COAS students have access to the
one-of-a-kind computing system for
their studies and research in addition to
four labs dedicated to teaching and
College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
student research. These include GIS
(geographic information system)
teaching and research labs, both
operated cooperatively with the
Department of Geosciences. COAS
graduates leave Oregon State University
with a superb education in their chosen
field and also are among the besttrained graduates in the world in
advanced computing applications.
COURSES
Many of the courses in the college are
offered every other year. Consult the
Schedule of Classes or the college student
programs office for current offerings.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Requirements for admission to the
graduate programs in the college:
1. A bachelor’s degree with a major
(40 quarter credits or more) in a basic
natural science (such as physics,
mathematics, chemistry, biology,
geology, atmospheric science, or
computer science) or engineering.
Marine resource management
applicants must also have a bachelor’s
degree, but the major may be in the
social or political sciences, economics,
business administration, the natural
sciences, fisheries, or engineering.
2. A minimum cumulative grade-point
average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for the
last 90 quarter credits of undergraduate work.
3. One year each of undergraduate
course work in physics, chemistry, and
calculus. Qualified applicants
deficient in these prerequisites may be
admitted conditionally.
4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
scores (general). Subject GRE
recommended.
5. Three letters of recommendation.
6. A score of 550 or higher on the
TOEFL for geophysics and oceanography applicants from countries where
English is not the official language.
Atmospheric science applicants must
score at least 600 on the TOEFL.
Marine resource management
applicants must score at least 575 on
the TOEFL.
January 15 is the deadline to apply for
the following fall term admission. Early
application is strongly recommended.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Oceanography and marine resource
management students are required to
take a selection of prescribed core
courses in the following fields: biological oceanography, chemical oceanography, geological oceanography, physical
oceanography, and atmospheric science.
Geophysics students are normally
required to take one or more courses in
physical and geological oceanography
in addition to their geophysics courses.
Atmospheric sciences students are
required to take core courses in atmospheric radiation, dynamics and cloud
physics, and two of the oceanography
core courses of their choice.
Students in oceanography, atmospheric sciences, and geophysics usually
minor in some other field of science,
mathematics, statistics, or engineering.
Marine resource management students
have multidisciplinary programs and are
not required to declare a minor.
MASTER’S PROGRAMS
All atmospheric science, geophysics, and
oceanography students must satisfy the
minimum program requirements
(45 credits including 6 credits of thesis)
established by the Graduate School.
Some graduate credits earned at other
institutions may be approved for
inclusion in the program. Marine
resource management graduate
programs have 60 credits of course work
and 6 credits of internship.
A two-hour, final oral examination is
required for completion of the master’s
program.
MARINE RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
This master’s degree program is designed
to prepare students for direct entry into
careers in resource management. The
program typically consists of courses in
oceanography, economics, fisheries, and
business administration. Courses may
also be taken in the Colleges of Engineering, Agricultural Sciences, Science,
and Liberal Arts. Each program is
adjusted to the needs of the individual.
Students complete an internship, project
report, or thesis. Applicants must meet
the general admission requirements of
the college.
DOCTOR OF
PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM
In graduate programs in the college, the
content of PhD programs, other than
core requirements, is determined by
individual students and their committees. Specific university requirements are
formulated by the Graduate School.
Approximately 80 credits of courses in
the graduate major (including the core
courses and 30 to 35 credits of thesis)
are usually included in the major. A first
and second minor or an integrated
minor totaling about 40 credits are
common. Graduate credits earned at
other institutions may be accepted in
the major and minor. There are no fixed
requirements on the number of course
credits to be taken; each program
corresponds to the needs of the
individual candidate. The dissertation is
based on an original investigation in
some area of the graduate major.
447
Courses taken as a part of the master’s
program at OSU are normally transferable into the PhD program.
OCEANOGRAPHY
GRADUATE MINORS
Master’s candidates who wish to minor
in oceanography must take one course
in physical oceanography and from 8 to
15 credits of other oceanography courses.
PhD candidates who wish to minor in
oceanography must take the core
oceanography courses. If oceanography
is the first minor, the program should
include a total of approximately
30 credits of oceanography.
OCEANOGRAPHY MINOR
Undergraduates interested in the marine
sciences can complete a minor in
oceanography by following the
curriculum below. This minor will add
interdisciplinary breadth to undergraduate programs, broaden employment
prospects, and enhance chances for
gaining admission to graduate programs.
The undergraduate Oceanography
minor is suggested for students in any of
the major programs of the College of
Science, in fisheries or in engineering.
The minor also provides a broad
environmental science background for
students planning to become high
school teachers of earth or life sciences.
The Oceanography minor is administered under the dean by the College of
Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences’
Student Programs Office.
MRM 415. Coastal Resources
Management (4)
OC 332. Coastal Oceanography (3)
or OC 333. Oceanic Research Frontiers (3)
OC 401. Research Project (1–4)
or OC 405. Reading and Conference (1–4)
or OC 499. Special Topics in
Oceanography (1–4)
OC 430. Principles of Physical
Oceanography (4)
or OC 433. Coastal and Estuarine
Oceanography (3)
or OC 464. Coastal Sedimentary
Processes (3)
OC 440. Intro to Biological
Oceanography (3)
OC 450. Chemical Oceanography (3)
OC 460. Geological Oceanography (3)
Choose two from the following:
Additional course in oceanography (3)
Additional course in marine resource
management (3)
Z 351. Marine Ecology (3)
FW 431. Dynamics of Marine Biological
Resources (4)
GPH 463. Geophysics and Tectonics (4)
Other approved course (3)
Total=27
448
Oregon State University
ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES
(MA, MS, PhD)
Graduate Areas of Concentration
Atmospheric chemistry and
pollution, atmospheric radiation and
remote sensing, global climate
dynamics, large-scale dynamics and
planetary atmospheres, turbulence
and convection, statistical and
applied meteorology
The atmospheric sciences are concerned
with dynamics, physics and processes,
including the interactions of the
atmosphere with soil physics, hydrology
and oceanic circulation.
The atmospheric sciences graduate
program in the College of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Sciences prepares students
for careers in teaching and research
through advanced study and participation in research projects directed by
faculty members. Master’s and doctoral
degrees are offered.
Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in physics, mathematics, engineering, chemistry or atmospheric science, with strength in
mathematics. All applicants should have
completed one year each of chemistry
and physics with calculus, and courses
in vector calculus and in differential
equations. Graduate Record Exam
(GRE) scores are required of all applicants. International applicants must
score at least 600 on the written TOEFL
or an equivalent score on the computerized version of the test.
Students perform thesis research on a
wide range of problems including the
study of global climate change, clouds
and the earth’s radiation budget, the
structure and dynamics of turbulent
flows, air-sea interaction, planetary
atmospheres, the optimal use and
economic value of weather and climate
forecasts, and the study of acid rain and
its effects on terrestrial ecosystems. In
addition to theoretical, numerical, and
observational methods of analysis,
approximately one-fourth of the
research projects either use or are
developing methods for obtaining
meteorological information from
satellites.
Opportunities exist for PhD candidates to conduct some of their thesis
research in Europe or at the National
Center for Atmospheric Research. Most
research projects involve collaboration
with other scientists, either on the
Oregon State University campus or at
major domestic or international research
centers.
Requirements
All atmospheric science students must
satisfy the minimum program requirements (45 credits including 6 credits of
thesis) established by the Graduate
School. Some graduate credits earned at
other institutions may be approved for
inclusion in the program. Marine
resource management graduate
programs have 60 credits of course work
and 6 credits of internship.
A two-hour, final oral examination is
required for completion of the master’s
program.
GEOPHYSICS (MA, MS, PhD)
Graduate Area of Concentration
Geophysics
Geophysics is concerned with physical
processes within and on the earth,
especially the internal physical constitution of the planet, and seismic, gravitational, geothermal, geoelectrical,
geomagnetic phenomena and their
relation to geological processes.
The geophysics program in the
College of Oceanic and Atmospheric
Sciences offers graduate work toward
Master of Science, Master of Arts, and
Doctor of Philosophy degrees in
Geophysics. Candidates should have an
undergraduate degree in physics,
mathematics, engineering, geology, or
geophysics. Mathematics through
differential equations is required and
mathematical physics is desirable.
Graduate Record Exam scores are
required of all applicants. Opportunities
for research exist on a wide range of
geophysical problems in marine and
continental regimes, emphasizing
experimental, applied, and theoretical
aspects.
Requirements
All geophysics students must satisfy the
minimum program requirements
(45 credits including 6 credits of thesis)
established by the Graduate School.
Some graduate credits earned at other
institutions may be approved for
inclusion in the program.
A two-hour, final oral examination is
required for completion of the master’s
program.
MARINE RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT (MA, MS)
Graduate Area of Concentration
Marine resource management
Marine resource management is an
interdisciplinary field integrating an
understanding of the scientific aspects
of marine environments with consideration of the social, economic, political,
and legal processes that govern human
use of marine and coastal resources.
Effective management of marine and
coastal ecosystems and their economic
uses includes many aspects of planning,
development, conservation, protection
and utilization of the diverse range of
commodity and non-commodity
natural resources found in these systems.
The Marine Resource Management
graduate program in the College of
Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences is
designed to prepare students to meet
demands for professionals to fill
positions of responsibility in the
management of marine and coastal
resources in both the public and private
sectors. Graduates deal with problems in
allocation, utilization, and development
of oceanic, coastal, and estuarine
resources. This program accommodates
prospective and practicing resource
managers from diverse backgrounds
through its flexible curriculum requirements. A core of basic oceanography
courses is coupled with additional
multidisciplinary course work selected
on the basis of the resource management interests of each student. An
internship or research project serves as
capstone for the program, although a
thesis option exists. Applicants should
have an undergraduate major in a
physical, natural or social science; or
business administration, or engineering.
The program recommends one year
each of college-level chemistry, physics
and calculus. A course in intermediate
microeconomics is desirable. The
Graduate Record Examination is
required. International students must
score at least 575 on the TOEFL.
Specialized Programs
The Western Interstate Commission for
Higher Education (WICHE) has selected
the biological, chemical, geological, and
physical oceanography programs (MS
and PhD), as well as the marine resource
management (MS, MA) programs, as
unique or specialized graduate programs it coordinates in the Northwest.
Residents of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado,
Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New
Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota,
Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, who
major in one of these programs, pay
resident tuition at OSU.
Requirements
Marine resource management graduate
program requires 60 credits of course
work and 6 credits of internships or 57
course credits and 9 thesis credits. This
master’s degree program is designed to
prepare students for direct entry into
careers in resource management. The
program typically consists of courses in
oceanography, economics, fisheries, and
business administration. Courses may
also be taken in the Colleges of Engineering, Agricultural Sciences, Science,
and Liberal Arts. Each program is
adjusted to the needs of the individual.
Students complete an internship, project
report, or thesis. Applicants must meet
the general admission requirements of
the college.
College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
OCEANOGRAPHY (MA, MS, PhD)
Graduate Areas of Concentration
Biological, chemical, geological,
physical oceanography,
interdisciplinary oceanography
Oceanography, the application of the
sciences to the study of the oceans, is an
interdisciplinary environmental science
concerned with all processes in the
ocean: biological, chemical, geological,
and physical, as well as the interactions
between the ocean and atmosphere. The
oceanography graduate program of the
College of Oceanic and Atmospheric
Sciences offers Master of Arts, Master of
Science, and Doctor of Philosophy
degrees.
For all areas in oceanography,
applicants should have a strong
quantitative background and an
undergraduate degree in a relevant field
of science or engineering and one year
each of chemistry, physics, and calculus.
Prior background in oceanography is
not essential. Graduate Record Exam
scores are required of all applicants.
Research in biological oceanography
involves the interactions of oceanic
plants and animals with each other and
with chemical, physical and geological
processes in the sea. The ecological
aspects of marine biology in the open
ocean, coastal zones, and estuaries are
emphasized. Candidates should have an
undergraduate major in biology or
chemistry.
Chemical processes of the ocean and
their relation to the biological, physical,
and geological processes of sea, land,
and air are the concern of chemical
oceanography research efforts. Applicants must have an undergraduate
major in chemistry. Graduate students
in chemical oceanography may
concentrate on natural or contaminant
organic, nutrient, trace metal, or
radionuclide materials in the oceans,
assessing the oceanic effects of such
materials and their exchanges with
atmospheric and terrestrial reservoirs.
In geological oceanography (marine
geology), a broad range of geological
processes that influence the ocean is
studied. Fields of interest include plate
tectonics and the structure of the ocean
basins, igneous petrology and
geochemistry, sedimentation,
paleoceanography and
paleoclimatology, the chemistry of
hydrothermal solutions and coastal
sedimentary processes. The
undergraduate degree of candidates for
graduate study should show strength in
one or more of these fields: earth
science, chemistry, physics, biology or
mathematics.
Physical oceanography research
covers the physical processes in the sea,
exchange of energy and momentum at
the air-sea interface, and the transmission and absorption of energy in the sea
(e.g., light, heat, and sound). Circulation, tides, waves, heat content, and
density distributions are some of the
other phenomena of particular interest.
Candidates should have an undergraduate major in physics, mathematics,
or engineering.
Interdisciplinary oceanography
combines research in more than one
discipline, allowing for an integrated
approach to the quest for knowledge of
the oceans.
Specialized Programs
The Western Interstate Commission for
Higher Education (WICHE) has selected
the biological, chemical, geological, and
physical oceanography programs (MS
and PhD), as well as the marine resource
management (MS, MA) programs, as
unique or specialized graduate programs it coordinates in the Northwest.
Residents of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado,
Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New
Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota,
Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, who
major in one of these programs pay
resident tuition at OSU.
OCEANOGRAPHY (MS)
Requirements
All oceanography students must satisfy
the minimum program requirements
(45 credits including 6 credits of thesis)
established by the Graduate School.
Some graduate credits earned at other
institutions may be approved for
inclusion in the program.
A two-hour, final oral examination is
required for completion of the master’s
program.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD)
In graduate programs in the college, the
content of PhD programs, other than
core requirements, is determined by
individual students and their committees. Specific university requirements are
formulated by the Graduate School.
Approximately 80 credits of courses in
the graduate major (including the core
courses and 30 to 35 credits of thesis)
are usually included in the major. A first
and second minor or an integrated
minor totaling about 40 credits are
common. Graduate credits earned at
other institutions may be accepted in
the major and minor. There are no fixed
requirements on the number of course
credits to be taken; each program
corresponds to the needs of the
individual candidate. The dissertation is
based on an original investigation in
some area of the graduate major.
Courses taken as a part of the master’s
program at OSU are normally transferable into the PhD program.
449
ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES
GRADUATE MINOR
For more details, see the college advisor.
GEOPHYSICS GRADUATE MINOR
For more details, see the college advisor.
MARINE RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT GRADUATE
MINOR
For more details, see the college advisor.
OCEANOGRAPHY
GRADUATE MINOR
For more details, see the college advisor.
ATS COURSES
ATS 210. INTRODUCTION TO THE ATMOSPHERIC
SCIENCES (3). Physical basis of atmospheric
phenomena on small, medium and large scales;
introduction to atmospheric dynamics and
thermodynamics; examination of atmospheric
circulation systems; introduction to atmospheric
physics and chemistry. Offered every term.
OTHER PREREQS: College algebra and
elementary functions.
ATS 320. *MAN’S IMPACT ON CLIMATE (3).
Survey the climate and the factors that influence
the climate. Examine sources for changes in
atmospheric composition, the expected
consequences of these changes, problems
predicting future changes, and what can be done
about the changes. Offered annually. (Bacc Core
Course)
ATS 401. RESEARCH (1-16).
ATS 403. THESIS (1-16).
ATS 405. READING AND CONFERENCE (1-16).
ATS 406. PROJECTS (1-16).
ATS 407. SEMINAR (1). One-credit sections,
graded P/N.
ATS 411.THERMODYNAMICS AND CLOUD
MICROPHYSICS (4). Thermodynamic processes in
the atmosphere, and an introduction to cloud
microphysics. Offered annually. ENFORCED
PREREQS: MTH 254 and PH 213
ATS 412. ATMOSPHERIC RADIATION (3).
Radiative transfer in the earth and planetary
atmospheres, absorption and scattering of
sunlight, absorption and emission of terrestrial
radiation, absorption and scattering cross
sections for molecules, cloud droplets and
aerosols. Applications include enhancement of
photochemical reaction rates in clouds, remote
sensing, and the earth’s radiation budget,
radiative-convective equilibrium, radiative forcing
due to changes in atmospheric composition and
climate change. ENFORCED PREREQS: MTH 254
and MTH 256 and PH 213
ATS 413. ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY (3).
Principles of atmospheric chemistry; chemical
fundamentals, sampling principles, sources,
reactions, scavenging, and deposition of sulfur,
nitrogen, ozone, and carbon compounds.
Atmospheric aerosol size distribution, mechanics,
optics, and scavenging. Offered annually.
ENFORCED PREREQS: MTH 254 and PH 213 and
CH 221
ATS 415. ATMOSPHERIC DYNAMICS I (4).
Derivation of equations governing atmospheric
motions; shallow atmosphere approximation and
the primitive equations. Simple balanced flows;
vertical motion; circulation, vorticity and potential
vorticity; Ekman layer dynamics; prototypical
atmospheric waves; geostrophic adjustment;
quasi-geostrophic motions; analysis of structure
of synoptic-scale systems; baroclinic instability.
Offered alternate years. ENFORCED PREREQS:
MTH 256 and PH 213
450
Oregon State University
ATS 416. ATMOSPHERIC DYNAMICS II (4). Review
of basic equations; scale analysis and
approximations. Turbulence and boundary layers.
Dry and moist convection; convective storms.
Frontogenesis; symmetric instability; internal
gravity waves and mountain waves; differentially
heated circulations including sea breezes. Slope
flows and urban circulations. Offered alternate
years. ENFORCED PREREQS: ATS 415 OTHER
PREREQS: Or equivalent.
ATS 420. PRINCIPLES OF ATMOSPHERIC
SCIENCE (4). Essential principles and
observations of the atmosphere. Atmospheric
composition and structure; hydrostatics and
thermodynamics. Radiative processes; energy
transfer and energy balances in the atmosphere.
Cloud and aerosol processes; atmospheric storm
systems. Atmospheric dynamics and the general
circulation of the atmosphere. Offered annually.
OTHER PREREQS: One year of college physics
and college calculus.
ATS 446. GEOPHYSICAL BOUNDARY LAYERS
(3). Descriptive introduction to atmospheric and
oceanic boundary layers, Reynolds averaging,
approximate equations of motion, tensor budget
equations for higher moments, turbulence energy
equation, similarity theory of the surface layer and
boundary layer, closure schemes, convective
mixed layer, stable boundary layer; air-sea
interaction and land surface processes. Offered
alternate years. ENFORCED PREREQS: ATS 416
OTHER PREREQS: Or equivalent.
ATS 475. PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES (3). Origin
and evolution of planetary atmospheres; vertical
structure of atmospheres; hazes and clouds;
atmospheric motions and general circulation.
Presentation of recent observations and current
research issues, focusing on Venus, Earth, Mars,
Jupiter, Saturn, and Titan. Emphasis on
comparative aspects and simple models.
ENFORCED PREREQS: MTH 254 and PH 213
ATS 499. SELECTED TOPICS (1-16).
ATS 501. RESEARCH (1-16).
ATS 503. THESIS (1-16).
ATS 505. READING AND CONFERENCE (1-16).
ATS 506. PROJECTS (1-16).
ATS 507. SEMINAR (1). One-credit sections,
graded P/N.
ATS 511.THERMODYNAMICS AND CLOUD
MICROPHYSICS (4). Thermodynamic processes in
the atmosphere, and an introduction to cloud
microphysics. Offered annually. OTHER
PREREQS: MTH 254, PH 213.
ATS 512. ATMOSPHERIC RADIATION (3).
Radiative transfer in the earth and planetary
atmospheres, absorption and scattering of
sunlight, radiation, absorption and emission of
terrestrial absorption and scattering cross
sections for molecules, cloud droplets and
aerosols. Applications include enhancement of
photochemical reaction rates in clouds, remote
sensing, and the earth’s radiation budget,
radiative-convective equilibrium, radiative forcing
due to changes in atmospheric composition and
climate change. OTHER PREREQS: MTH 256,
PH 213, MTH 254.
ATS 513. ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY (3).
Principles of atmospheric chemistry; chemical
fundamentals, sampling principles, sources,
reactions, scavenging, and deposition of sulfur,
nitrogen, ozone, and carbon compounds.
Atmospheric aerosol size distribution, mechanics,
optics, and scavenging. Offered annually. OTHER
PREREQS: MTH 254, PH 213 and CH 221.
ATS 515. ATMOSPHERIC DYNAMICS I (4).
Derivation of equations governing atmospheric
motions; shallow atmosphere approximation and
the primitive equations. Simple balanced flows;
vertical motion, circulation, vorticity and potential
vorticity; Ekman layer dynamics; prototypical
atmospheric waves; geostrophic adjustment;
quasi-geostrophic motions; analysis of structure
of synoptic-scale systems; baroclinic instability.
Offered alternate years. OTHER PREREQS:
MTH 256, PH 213.
decadal variability, the North Atlantic oscillation/
Arctic oscillation. ENFORCED PREREQS: ATS 515
or OC 670 OTHER PREREQS: Or instructor
approval.
ATS 516. ATMOSPHERIC DYNAMICS II (4). Review
of basic equations; scale analysis and
approximations. Turbulence and boundary layers.
Dry and moist convection; convective storms.
Frontogenesis; symmetric instability; internal
gravity waves and mountain waves; differentially
heated circulations including sea breezes. Slope
flows and urban circulations. Offered alternate
years. ENFORCED PREREQS: ATS 515 OTHER
PREREQS: Or equivalent.
ATS 630. CLIMATE DYNAMICS (3). Physical basis
of climate and climatic change; radiation budget,
surface energy budget, atmosphere and ocean
circulation; energy balance models and their
application to problems in climate change. Offered
alternate years. OTHER PREREQS: MTH 254,
PH 213.
ATS 520. PRINCIPLES OF ATMOSPHERIC
SCIENCE (4). Essential principles and
observations of the atmosphere. Atmospheric
composition and structure; hydrostatics and
thermodynamics. Radiative processes; energy
transfer and energy balances in the atmosphere.
Cloud and aerosol processes; atmospheric storm
systems. Atmospheric dynamics and the general
circulation of the atmosphere. Offered annually.
OTHER PREREQS: One year of college physics
and college calculus.
ATS 546. GEOPHYSICAL BOUNDARY LAYERS
(3). Descriptive introduction to atmospheric and
oceanic boundary layers, Reynolds averaging,
approximate equations of motion, tensor budget
equations for higher moments, turbulence energy
equation, similarity theory of the surface layer and
boundary layer, closure schemes, convective
mixed layer, stable boundary layer; air-sea
interaction and land surface processes. Offered
alternate years. ENFORCED PREREQS: ATS 516
OTHER PREREQS: Or equivalent.
ATS 564. INTERACTIONS OF VEGETATION AND
ATMOSPHERE (3). Quantitative treatment of
radiation, heat, mass, and momentum exchange
between vegetation and atmosphere; forest,
natural and agricultural ecosystem examples.
Physical and biological controls of carbon dioxide
and water vapor exchange; remote sensing of
canopy processes; models of stand-scale
evaporation, photosynthesis and respiration;
landscape and regional scale exchanges;
vegetation and planetary boundary layer coupling;
vegetation in global climate models.
CROSSLISTED as FS 564. OTHER PREREQS:
PH 201, MTH 251, BI 201.
ATS 575. PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES (3). Origin
and evolution of planetary atmospheres; vertical
structure of atmospheres; hazes and clouds;
atmospheric motions and general circulation.
Presentation of recent observations and current
research issues, focusing on Venus, Earth, Mars,
Jupiter, Saturn, and Titan. Emphasis on
comparative aspects and simple models. OTHER
PREREQS: MTH 254, PH 213.
ATS 590. SELECTED TOPICS (1-4). Maximum of
12 credits may be used in a graduate program.
ATS 601. RESEARCH (1-16).
ATS 603. THESIS (1-16).
ATS 605. READING AND CONFERENCE (1-16).
ATS 606. PROJECTS (1-16).
ATS 607. SEMINAR (1). One-credit sections,
graded P/N.
ATS 613. AEROSOL AND CLOUD PHYSICS (3).
Formation, composition and Brownian coagulation
of atmospheric aerosol. Nucleation, composition,
growth and evaporation of cloud droplets and ice
crystals; precipitation processes. Scavenging of
aerosol by cloud droplets. ENFORCED PREREQS:
ATS 511 and ATS 513
ATS 615. LARGE-SCALE INTERACTIONS OF THE
OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERE (3). Oceanatmosphere circulations in the time-mean and
seasonal cycles, equatorial wave modes, El NinoSouthern Oscillation, Madden-Julian oscillation,
teleconnections and atmospheric bridges, midlatitude air-sea interactions, Pacific and Atlantic
ATS 655. MESOSCALE NUMERICAL MODELING
(3). Review and classification of governing
equations, finite difference approaches, Galerkin
methods, truncation error and accuracy of
solutions. Analysis of numerical stability, boundary
conditions, and gridding methods focusing on
issues relevant to mesoscale modeling such as
nesting and terrain-following coordinate systems.
Discussion of elliptical systems and methods for
pressure solution. Study of current models with
emphasis on turbulence parameterization,
microphysics and initialization. Development of
simple models and application of existing model
systems. ENFORCED PREREQS: ATS 515 and
ATS 516 or OC 671 OTHER PREREQS: Or
instructor approval.
ATS 683. DATA ANALYSIS IN THE FREQUENCY
AND WAVE NUMBER DOMAINS (3). Theory of
classical and modern techniques for analysis of
data in the frequency and wave number domains
with applications to real oceanographic and
atmospheric data. Topics include sampling theory,
one-dimensional autospectral analysis,
multidimensional autospectral analysis, coherence
and phase analysis, bi-spectral analysis, wavelet
analysis, and confidence tests. Offered alternate
years. CROSSLISTED as OC 683. ENFORCED
PREREQS: OC 608 OTHER PREREQS: MTH 341,
MTH 342, MTH 418, ST 314 and working
knowledge of Matlab, IDL, or Fortran.
ATS 690. SELECTED TOPICS (1-16). Maximum of
12 credits may be used in a graduate program.
GPH COURSES
GPH 463. ^GEOPHYSICS AND TECTONICS (4).
Geophysical observations as constraints on
geologic interpretation. Field trip(s) required;
transportation fee charged. Lec/lab. (Writing
Intensive Course) CROSSLISTED as GEO 463/
GEO 563. ENFORCED PREREQS: MTH 251 and
(PH 202 or PH 212) OTHER PREREQS: Or
equivalent.
GPH 501. RESEARCH (1-16). Original research
work that will not be part of the data used in a
thesis. Graded P/N.
GPH 503. THESIS (1-16). Thesis research and
writing.
GPH 505. READING AND CONFERENCE (1-16).
Independent reading and library research on
specialized topics in geophysics, guided by
discussions with supervising faculty. A written
report may be required. OTHER PREREQS:
Instructor and topic approval required before
registration.
GPH 507. SEMINAR (1-16).
GPH 563. GEOPHYSICS AND TECTONICS (4).
Geophysical observations as constraints on
geologic interpretation. Field trip(s) required;
transportation fee charged. Lec/lab.
CROSSLISTED as GEO 463/GEO 563. OTHER
PREREQS: MTH 251, PH 202 or PH 212 or
equivalent.
GPH 564. SEISMIC REFLECTION
INTERPRETATION (4). Use of seismic reflection
data to interpret subsurface geology. For students
with backgrounds in either geology or geophysics.
Emphasis on the integration of reflection data with
other types of geophysical and geological data to
interpret the structure and stratigraphy of
sedimentary basins and the gross structure of the
earth’s crust. Brief overview of wave propagation
College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
theory and acquisition and processing procedures.
Laboratory exercises include computer modeling
of reflection data and interpretation of profiles
from a wide variety of tectonic settings.
CROSSLISTED as GEO 564. ENFORCED
PREREQS: GEO 563 and GPH 563
GPH 601. RESEARCH (1-16). Original research
work that will not be part of the data used in a
thesis. Graded P/N.
GPH 603. THESIS (1-16). Thesis research and
writing.
GPH 605. READING AND CONFERENCE (1-16).
Independent reading and library research on
specialized topics in geophysics guided by
discussions with supervising faculty. A written
report may be required. OTHER PREREQS:
Instructor and topic approval required before
registration.
GPH 607. SEMINAR (1-16).
GPH 620. PHYSICS OF THE EARTH (3). Effects of
confining pressure, temperature, time, and
solutions on properties of rocks; earth and moon
in solar system; source materials and their
reliabilities for determining nature and composition
of the earth; composition of core, crust, and
mantle; geodynamics; processes within the earth
with special reference to their effect on
earthquakes, isostasy, crustal structure, island
arcs.
GPH 630. ELEMENTS OF SEISMOLOGY (4).
Survey of basic concepts in global seismology:
world seismicity; elastic structure of the earth;
seismic wave paths in the earth; locating
earthquakes; earthquake focal mechanisms,
magnitudes, stress drop, energy; stress and
strain, elasticity, wave equation, plane waves in
homogeneous and layered media, surface waves,
free oscillations; ray theory; seismometry;
earthquake prediction. Laboratory exercises
include interpretation and analysis of
seismograms from global seismographic networks.
OTHER PREREQS: Differential equations.
GPH 631. THEORETICAL SEISMOLOGY (3).
Representation of seismic sources, moment
tensors, wave radiation from point and finite
sources; wave propagation in attenuating medium;
reflection and refraction of spherical waves,
Lamb’s problem, Cagniard-De Hoop methods;
surface waves in a vertically heterogeneous
medium; free oscillations of the earth. ENFORCED
PREREQS: GPH 630 OTHER PREREQS:
Differential equations, complex analysis.
GPH 632. CRUSTAL SEISMOLOGY (3). Structure
of the earth’s crust and upper mantle from seismic
reflection and large offset (refraction, wide-angle
reflection) data. Methods of data collection, data
processing theory and practice, modeling and
interpretation techniques, correlation of seismic
results with laboratory measurements of rock
properties, and regional case studies. ENFORCED
PREREQS: GPH 630
GPH 640. THE EARTH’S GRAVITY FIELD (4).
Gravity field and gravity potential, earth ellipsoid;
gravity measurements (sea, land, and space),
reduction of gravity measurements; gravity
anomalies, isostasy, deviations from isostatic
equilibrium; internal constitution of the earth.
Offered alternate years. OTHER PREREQS:
Differential equations, two years of physics, one
year of geology.
GPH 641. ELECTROMAGNETIC METHODS IN
GEOPHYSICS (3). Survey of electromagnetic (EM)
methods in geophysics. Review of electromagnetic
theory, Maxwell’s equations in the quasi-static
limit, the diffusion of EM fields in a layered
conductor, qualitative discussion of EM fields in
2- and 3-D conductors. EM techniques, including
DC resistivity, magnetotellurics, controlled source
EM, induced polarization, and long-period
magnetometer array methods. Applications to
exploration, to basic research on crustal structure
and to studies of upper-mantel conductivity.
OTHER PREREQS: Upper-division EM course.
GPH 642. EARTH MAGNETISM (3). Geomagnetism
and magnetic potential: general morphology and
secular change; internal and external sources;
principles of paleomagnetism, including field and
laboratory procedures; origin of remnant
magnetism in rocks and the controlling physical
and chemical processes; the origin of the Earth’s
magnetic field. OTHER PREREQS: Instructor
approval required.
GPH 650. GEOPHYSICAL INVERSE THEORY (4).
Survey of the theory and applications of inverse
methods currently used in the geophysical
sciences for the interpretation of inaccurate and
inadequate data. Backus-Gilbert inverse theory,
resolution, regularization methods (such as
damped least squares) for linear and non-linear
problems, stochastic inversion, and extremal
models. Applications to seismic, gravity, magnetic
and electromagnetic data. OTHER PREREQS:
Linear algebra, instructor approval required.
GPH 651. GEODYNAMICS I (3). Application of the
techniques of continuum mechanics to geological
problems. Thermal and subsidence history of the
lithosphere; stress and strain in the earth;
elasticity and flexure of the lithosphere;
gravitational compensation. Offered alternate
years. OTHER PREREQS: Instructor approval
required.
GPH 652. GEODYNAMICS II (3). Application of the
techniques of continuum mechanics to geological
problems. Rheology of earth materials; fluid
mechanics applied to the earth’s mantle and to
magma chambers; fluid flow in porous media.
Offered alternate years. OTHER PREREQS:
Instructor approval required.
GPH 665. GEOPHYSICAL FIELD TECHNIQUES
(3). Instrumentation, field methods and
interpretation of gravimetric, magnetic, electrical
and seismic prospecting techniques. Students will
be required to collect, reduce, analyze, and
interpret data.
GPH 689. SPECIAL TOPICS IN GEOPHYSICS
(1-4). Special topics of current interest in
geophysics, not covered in detail in other
courses. May be repeated on different topics for
credit.
MRM COURSES
MRM 415. COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
(4). Survey of coastal zone and nearshore ocean
management institutions, policies, decisionmaking processes, and management tools, with a
United States emphasis. Using the public policy
process as an organizing framework, issues
addressed include natural hazards, water quality,
habitat protection, public access, and the
management of coastal development. Management
processes and tools include information
technologies, planning, regulation, protected
areas, restoration, and coordination. Offered
alternate years.
MRM 442. ESTUARINE ECOLOGY AND
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY (4). Provides an integrated
view of the ecologic processes in estuarine
environments, with a special emphasis on how
these processes impact the biogeochemical
cycling of carbon and nitrogen. Major topics
include introduction to estuarine systems,
including the geomorphology, physical
oceanography and chemistry of estuaries;
estuarine primary production; detrital food webs
and carbon cycling; pelagic and benthic
ecosystem processes in estuaries; and abiotic
and biotic controls on estuarine nutrient cycling.
Class discussions and current literature will also
be used to encourage students to integrate
lecture topics and achieve a comprehensive
understanding of how the physical, chemical, and
biological properties of estuaries regulate
ecological processes. CROSSLISTED as OC 442/
OC 542. ENFORCED PREREQS: OC 440 OTHER
PREREQS: Or instructor approval required.
MRM 501. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP (1-16).
Graded P/N.
451
MRM 503. THESIS (1-16).
MRM 505. READING AND CONFERENCE (1-16).
MRM 506. PROJECTS (1-16).
MRM 507. SEMINAR (1-16).
MRM 508. WORKSHOP (1-16).
MRM 510. INTERNSHIP (1-9). Planned and
supervised resource management experience with
selected cooperating governmental agencies,
private organizations, or business firms.
Supplementary conferences, reports and
evaluations. For marine resource management
majors only. OTHER PREREQS: For marine
resource management majors only.
MRM 515. COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
(4). Survey of coastal zone and nearshore ocean
management institutions, policies, decisionmaking processes, and management tools, with a
United States emphasis. Using the public policy
process as an organizing framework, issues
addressed include natural hazards, water quality,
habitat protection, public access, and the
management of coastal development. Management
processes and tools include information
technologies, planning, regulation, protected
areas, restoration, and coordination. Offered
annually.
MRM 525. SPECIAL TOPICS IN MARINE
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (1-4). Subjects of
current interest in Marine Resource Management,
not covered in depth in other courses. May be
repeated on different topics for credit.
MRM 542. ESTUARINE ECOLOGY AND
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY (4). Provides an integrated
view of the ecologic processes in estuarine
environments, with a special emphasis on how
these processes impact the biogeochemical
cycling of carbon and nitrogen. Major topics
include introduction to estuarine systems,
including the geomorphology, physical
oceanography and chemistry of estuaries;
estuarine primary production; detrital food webs
and carbon cycling; pelagic and benthic
ecosystem processes in estuaries; and abiotic
and biotic controls on estuarine nutrient cycling.
Class discussions and current literature will also
be used to encourage students to integrate
lecture topics and achieve a comprehensive
understanding of how the physical, chemical, and
biological properties of estuaries regulate
ecological processes. CROSSLISTED as OC 442/
OC 542. ENFORCED PREREQS: OC 540 or
OC 440 OTHER PREREQS: Or instructor approval.
OC COURSES
OC 103. *EXPLORING THE DEEP: GEOGRAPHY
OF THE WORLD’S OCEANS (4). Introduces nonscience students to the oceans, including marine
geology and chemistry, ocean currents, coastal
and biological processes. Field trip required,
transportation fee charged. Lec/lab.
CROSSLISTED as GEO 103. (Bacc Core Course)
OC 103H. *EXPLORING THE DEEP: GEOGRAPHY
OF THE WORLD’S OCEANS (4). Introduces nonscience students to the oceans, including mar
geology and chemistry, ocean currents, coastal
and biological processes. Lec/lab. CROSSLISTED
as GEO 103H. (Bacc Core Course) OTHER
PREREQS: Honors College approval required.
OC 199. SPECIAL TOPICS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(1-4). Introduction to topics of current interest in
oceanography for lower-division undergraduates.
May be repeated on different topics for credit.
OC 331. INTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHY
(3). Comprehensive survey of oceanography as an
interdisciplinary marine science. Geological
features, plate tectonics, dynamics of ocean
basins; chemistry of sea water, sediments; heat,
motion, climate, air-sea interactions; surface,
deep ocean circulation; biological processes in
the sea. Offered every quarter. OTHER
PREREQS: One year each of algebra, chemistry,
and physics.
452
Oregon State University
OC 331H. INTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHY
(3). Comprehensive survey of oceanography as an
interdisciplinary marine science. Geological
features, plate tectonics, dynamics of ocean
basins; chemistry of sea water, sediments; heat,
motion, climate, air-sea interactions; surface,
deep ocean circulation; biological processes in
the sea. Offered every quarter. OTHER
PREREQS: One year each of algebra, chemistry,
and physics; Honors College approval required.
OC 332. COASTAL OCEANOGRAPHY (3).
Physics, geology, biology and hydrology of
coastal oceans. How coastal waters respond to
forcing by heating, cooling, winds, tides, waves,
rain, evaporation, river runoff and freezing.
Geography and geology of coastlines: erosion and
deposition processes, beach dynamics. Coastal
equilibrium cells as sources and sinks of
sediment. Rocky shore, beach, mudflat, estuarine,
and coastal biotic communities; animal migrations.
Law of the Sea rights and responsibilities of
coastal states. Fisheries and mariculture in
coastal seas. Pollution and coastal ocean
resources. Using a matrix to define environmental
problems; pathways that pollutants take through
the coastal ecosystem. Offered annually.
OC 401. RESEARCH PROJECTS (1-4). Field and
laboratory research in oceanography for
undergraduates, resulting in a written report.
OTHER PREREQS: Instructor and topic approval
required before registration.
OC 405. READING AND CONFERENCE (1-4).
Independent library research and reading in
specialized topics in oceanography for
undergraduates, guided by discussions in
conferences with faculty. A written report may be
required. OTHER PREREQS: Instructor and topic
approval required before registration.
OC 407. SEMINAR (1-3). Undergraduate seminar
on current developments in the oceanographic
research literature, with student presentations and
group discussions. A written report may be
required.
OC 430. PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL
OCEANOGRAPHY (4). Fundamental principles of
physical oceanography; conservation of mass,
heat, momentum and vorticity; equations
governing motion in the ocean; geostrophy;
planetary boundary layers; wind-driven and
thermohaline circulation. Descriptive
oceanography; application of the fundamental
principles to the ocean; examination of the major
current systems; water mass analysis. Offered
annually. OTHER PREREQS: One year each of
college physics and college calculus.
OC 433. COASTAL AND ESTUARINE
OCEANOGRAPHY (3). Circulation of the coastal
ocean including continental shelf circulation,
upwelling, coastal jets, undercurrents, coastaltrapped waves. Fundamentals of surface waves
and tides; tsunamis, wind generation, breaking
waves. Estuary classification and circulation
patterns; shallow-water processes and beach
morphology. Offered alternate years. OTHER
PREREQS: One year of college physics, one year
of calculus.
OC 440. INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGICAL
OCEANOGRAPHY (3). Introduction to the ocean
as an ecosystem, with emphasis on the
processes affecting productivity and structure of
oceanic communities. Interactions of biological
processes with chemical, physical, and geological
processes in the ocean. Effects of light and
nutrients on phytoplankton, grazing by
zooplankton, microbial activity and recycling,
distributional patterns of zooplankton and nekton,
ecology of benthic animals, marine fisheries, and
pollution problems. Offered annually.
OC 441. MARINE ZOOPLANKTON (4). Small
animal life in the sea: population biology,
biogeography, migrations, life cycles, physiology.
Role of zooplankton in pelagic ecosystem
dynamics is examined through modeling. Offered
alternate years. ENFORCED PREREQS: OC 440
OTHER PREREQS: Or an ecology or invertebrate
zoology course.
OC 442. ESTUARINE ECOLOGY AND
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY (4). Provides an integrated
view of the ecologic processes in estuarine
environments, with a special emphasis on how
these processes impact the biogeochemical
cycling of carbon and nitrogen. Major topics
include introduction to estuarine systems
including the geomorphology, physical
oceanography and chemistry of estuaries;
estuarine primary production; detrital food webs
and carbon cycling; pelagic and benthic
ecosystem processes in estuaries; and abiotic
and biotic controls on estuarine nutrient cycling.
Class discussions and current literature will also
be used to encourage students to integrate
lecture topics and achieve a comprehensive
understanding of how the physical, chemical, and
biological properties of estuaries regulate
ecological processes. CROSSLISTED as
MRM 442/MRM 542. ENFORCED PREREQS:
OC 440 OTHER PREREQS: Or instructor approval.
OC 450. CHEMICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (3).
Chemical properties and processes in the oceans.
Composition, origin and evolution of sea water;
thermodynamic and kinetic predictions for
reactions in sea water; major and minor element
reservoirs and fluxes; vertical and horizontal
transport of materials; isotopic clocks and
tracers; nutrients; chemical processes and fluxes
across major marine interfaces, including
estuaries, atmosphere, sediments, suspended
particles and hydrothermal systems. Offered
annually. OTHER PREREQS: One year of collegelevel general chemistry.
OC 460. GEOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (3).
Structure of ocean basins, plate tectonics and
sea floor spreading, marine sedimentation, history
of ocean basins, and analysis of geological and
geophysical data. Offered annually. OTHER
PREREQS: One year each of physics and
chemistry or science background.
OC 461. MARINE GEOLOGY CASE STUDIES
(1-4). Modular course providing laboratory
experience in current marine geological research
areas. Modules are self-contained projects, based
on current faculty research or recently published
literature. Modules include field trips to examine
marine sedimentary and submarine volcanic rocks
and to observe coastal processes, including
beach morphology and sedimentary processes.
Examination of deep sea sediment cores including
chemical and paleontologic analysis to extract
paleoclimate or paleoenvironmental information.
Experimental igneous petrology. Relationships of
submarine basalt chemistry to topographic and
tectonic features. Plate tectonic reconstructions.
Offered annually.
OC 464. COASTAL SEDIMENTARY PROCESSES
(3). Nearshore ocean processes including tides,
sea-level variations, waves, currents, sediment
transport, and the resulting beach morphology;
coastal erosion problems and management issues.
OC 499. SPECIAL TOPICS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(1-4). Subjects of current interest in
oceanography, not covered in depth in other
courses. For upper-division undergraduates. May
be repeated on different topics for credit. Graded
P/N. OTHER PREREQS: Varies with current topic.
For upper-division undergraduates.
OC 501. RESEARCH (1-16). Original research
work that will not be part of the data used in a
thesis. Graded P/N. OTHER PREREQS: Instructor
approval required.
OC 503. THESIS (1-16). Thesis research and
writing.
OC 505. READING AND CONFERENCE (1-16).
Independent reading and library research on
specialized topics in oceanography, guided by
discussions with supervising faculty. A written
report may be required. OTHER PREREQS:
Instructor and topic approval required before
registration.
OC 506. PROJECTS (1-16).
OC 507. SEMINAR (1-3). Student presentations
and discussions of current research literature or
personal research results. Original research
presentations by visiting scientists, OSU faculty
and graduate students presenting final thesis
results. Other sections and specific topics by
arrangement.
OC 508. WORKSHOP (1-16).
OC 528. MICROPROBE ANALYSIS (3). Theory and
application of electron microprobe analysis to
problems in geology, engineering, chemistry,
physics, and biology.
OC 530. PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL
OCEANOGRAPHY (4). Fundamental principles of
physical oceanography; conservation of mass,
heat, momentum and vorticity; equations
governing motion in the ocean; geostrophy;
planetary boundary layers; wind-driven and
thermohaline circulation. Descriptive
oceanography application of the fundamental
principles to the ocean; examination of the major
current systems; water mass analysis. Offered
annually. OTHER PREREQS: One year each of
college physics and college calculus.
OC 533. COASTAL AND ESTUARINE
OCEANOGRAPHY (3). Circulation of the coastal
ocean including continental shelf circulation,
upwelling, coastal jets, undercurrents, coastaltrapped waves. Fundamentals of surface waves
and tides; tsunamis, wind generation, breaking
waves; shallow-water processes and beach
morphology. Offered alternate years. OTHER
PREREQS: One year of college physics, one year
of calculus.
OC 540. BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (3). The
ocean as an ecosystem, with emphasis on the
processes affecting productivity and structure of
oceanic communities. Interactions of biological
processes with chemical, physical and geological
processes in the ocean. Effects of light and
nutrients on phytoplankton, grazing by
zooplankton, microbial activity and recycling,
distributional patterns of zooplankton and nekton,
ecology of benthic animals, marine fisheries and
pollution problems. Offered annually.
OC 541. MARINE ZOOPLANKTON (4). Small
animal life in the sea; population biology,
biogeography, migrations, life cycles, physiology.
Role of zooplankton in pelagic ecosystem
dynamics is examined through modeling. Offered
alternate years. ENFORCED PREREQS: OC 540
OC 542. ESTUARINE ECOLOGY AND
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY (4). Provides an integrated
view of the ecologic processes in estuarine
environments, with a special emphasis on how
these processes impact the biogeochemical
cycling of carbon and nitrogen. Major topics
include introduction to estuarine systems,
including the geomorphology, physical
oceanography and chemistry of estuaries;
estuarine primary production; detrital food webs
and carbon cycling; pelagic and benthic
ecosystem processes in estuaries; and abiotic
and biotic controls on estuarine nutrient cycling.
Class discussions and current literature will also
be used to encourage students to integrate
lecture topics and achieve a comprehensive
understanding of how the physical, chemical, and
biological properties of estuaries regulate
ecological processes. CROSSLISTED as
MRM 442/MRM 542. ENFORCED PREREQS:
OC 540 OTHER PREREQS: Or instructor approval.
OC 550. CHEMICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (3).
Chemical properties and processes in the oceans.
Composition, origin and evolution of sea water;
thermodynamic and kinetic predictions for
reactions in the sea water; major and minor
element reservoirs and fluxes; vertical and
horizontal transport of materials; isotopic clocks
and tracers; nutrients; chemical processes and
fluxes across major marine interfaces, including
estuaries, atmosphere, sediments, suspended
College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
particles and hydrothermal systems. Offered
annually. OTHER PREREQS: One year of collegelevel general chemistry.
OC 560. GEOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (3).
Structure of ocean basins, plate tectonics and
sea floor spreading, marine sedimentation, history
of ocean basins, and analysis of geological and
geophysical data. Offered annually. OTHER
PREREQS: One year each of physics and
chemistry or science background.
OC 561. MARINE GEOLOGY CASE STUDIES
(1-4). Modular course providing laboratory
experience in current marine geological research
areas. Modules are self-contained projects, based
on current faculty research or recently published
literature. Modules include field trips to examine
marine sedimentary and submarine volcanic rocks
and to observe coastal processes, including
beach morphology and sedimentary processes.
Examination of deep sea sediment cores including
chemical and paleontologic analysis to extract
paleoclimate or paleoenvironmental information.
Experimental igneous petrology. Relationships of
submarine basalt chemistry to topographic and
tectonic features. Plate tectonic reconstructions.
Offered annually. ENFORCED PREREQS: OC 560
OTHER PREREQS: Or equivalent, one year each
physics, calculus and geology, and instructor
approval required on modules.
OC 564. COASTAL SEDIMENTARY PROCESSES
(3). Nearshore ocean processes including tides,
sea-level variations, waves, currents, sediment
transport, and the resulting beach morphology;
coastal erosion problems and management issues.
OC 599. SPECIAL TOPICS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(1-4). Subjects of current interest in
oceanography, not covered in depth in other
courses. May be repeated on different topics for
credit. Graded P/N. OTHER PREREQS: Varies with
current topic.
OC 601. RESEARCH (1-16). Original research
work that will not be part of the data used in a
thesis. Graded P/N. OTHER PREREQS: Instructor
approval required.
OC 603. THESIS (1-16). Thesis research and
writing.
OC 605. READING AND CONFERENCE (1-16).
Independent reading and library research on
specialized topics in oceanography, guided by
discussions with supervising faculty. A written
report may be required. OTHER PREREQS:
Instructor and topic approval required before
registration.
OC 606. PROJECTS (1-16).
OC 607. SEMINAR (1-3). Student presentations
and discussions of current research literature or
personal research results. Original research
presentations by visiting scientists, OSU faculty
and graduate students presenting final thesis
results. Other sections and specific topics by
arrangement.
OC 608. WORKSHOP (1-16).
OC 633. GEOCHRONOLOGY AND ISOTOPE
GEOLOGY (3). Measurements of cosmic and
geologic time by radioactive decay. Use of
radiogenic and stable isotopic tracers in geology.
Offered alternate years. CROSSLISTED as
GEO 633. OTHER PREREQS: Graduate standing
in geology or related fields.
OC 642. MARINE NEKTON (3). Ecology, behavior,
and special adaptations of swimming marine
animals, including fish, invertebrate nekton, and
marine mammals. Topics include locomotion,
respiration, feeding, reproduction, sensory
biology, schooling, seasonal migration and
navigation, diel vertical migration, patterns of
distribution and abundance, population dynamics,
and community organization. ENFORCED
PREREQS: OC 540 OTHER PREREQS: Or
equivalent.
OC 644. MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON ECOLOGY
(4). Ecology of photosynthetic plankton in the
oceans; autotrophic, heterotrophic, and
mixotrophic nutrition; limitation of growth and
photosynthesis by light, nutrients and trace
elements; grazing and other removal processes;
primary productivity and its control in major ocean
provinces and the global ocean; role of the marine
phytoplankton in the global carbon balance on
time scales ranging from seasonal to glacial/
interglacial. Offered alternate years. ENFORCED
PREREQS: OC 540 OTHER PREREQS: Or two
years of biology.
OC 645. MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON
PHYSIOLOGY (4). Life processes of plankton
algae: energy-capturing processes, mineral
nutrition, flotation mechanisms, cell division.
Evaluation of experimental procedures; problems
of existence in the open ocean; artificial
production of maximum yields. Offered alternate
years. ENFORCED PREREQS: OC 644
OC 646. PHYSICAL/BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS
IN THE UPPER OCEAN (4). Variability in physical
oceanic processes in the upper ocean and
relationship to spatial and temporal variations in
biomass, growth rates, and other biological
patterns in the organisms of ocean surface
waters. The relationship between variability in
ocean physical phenomena and ecosystem
dynamics, including the requirements of sampling
design for upper ocean ecological studies. Time
and space scales of physical and biological
phenomena in the upper ocean. Offered alternate
years. ENFORCED PREREQS: OC 530 and OC 540
OTHER PREREQS: Or instructor approval
required.
OC 647. MARINE MICROBIAL PROCESSES (4).
Roles of procaryotic and eukaryotic microbes in
the biological and chemical processes of the sea,
with emphasis on pelagic ecosystems. Functional
and taxonomic types and distribution of marine
micro- organisms. Biochemical and physiological
processes of major groups of microbes as these
relate to geochemical cycles of biologically active
elements in the sea. Heterotrophic and
mixotrophic protists in pelagic foodwebs.
Discussion of current experimental approaches to
determining aspects of microbial activity and
production. Offered alternate years. ENFORCED
PREREQS: OC 540 OTHER PREREQS: Two years
of biology or instructor approval required.
OC 648. MARINE BENTHIC ECOLOGY (4).
Differences between benthic and water-column
biological oceanography. Historical, observational
approaches including sedimentology, fluid
mechanics and geochemistry. ENFORCED
PREREQS: OC 540 OTHER PREREQS: Two years
of biology or instructor approval required.
OC 649. SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOLOGICAL
OCEANOGRAPHY (1-4). Special topics of current
interest in biological oceanography not covered in
detail in other courses. May be repeated on
different topics for credit.
OC 651. ADVANCED CHEMICAL
OCEANOGRAPHY (3). Advanced topics in
chemical oceanography emphasizing problems
and issues of contemporary interest. Descriptive
studies of chemical properties and processes in
sea water and the oceans; interactions of oceanic
circulation and chemical distributions; sea water
chemistry in specialized environments;
geochemical and biochemical cycles; sea watersediment interactions; analytical chemical
advances. ENFORCED PREREQS: OC 550
OC 652. CHEMICAL OCEANOGRAPHY
LABORATORY (3). Chemical analytical techniques
for seawater and marine sediments. Topics
include: salinity; dissolved oxygen; nutrients; the
CO2 system; dissolved and particulate organic
materials; trace metals; radionuclides; analytical
barriers and recent advances. ENFORCED
PREREQS: OC 550 OTHER PREREQS: Or
instructor approval required.
453
OC 653. MARINE RADIOCHEMISTRY (3). Basic
principles of radioactive decay and growth; marine
biogeochemistry of uranium and thorium series
radionuclides; release of artificial radionuclides
into marine environments; applications of
radioisotopic techniques to oceanic circulation
and mixing, paleoceanography, sediment
geochronology, archeometry, and marine pollution.
ENFORCED PREREQS: OC 550
OC 654. MARINE POLLUTION (3). Identification of
sources for organic and inorganic pollutants in
estuarine, coastal and oceanic environments;
mechanisms of introduction and dispersal;
chemical and biological behavior and removal
processes; regional and global scale effects;
case studies and future research strategies;
monitoring programs for pollution assessment.
Offered alternate years. ENFORCED PREREQS:
OC 550
OC 655. ADVANCED AQUATIC CHEMISTRY (4).
Low temperature thermodynamic, selective kinetic
treatments of natural waters’ inorganic chemistry;
organic ligands, surface active groups; prediction
techniques, comparisons, observations; computer
laboratory. OTHER PREREQS: Physical chemistry
or chemical thermodynamics.
OC 656. MARINE ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY (3).
Models for the formation and decomposition of
simple and macromolecular organic matter in
waters and sediments of the marine environment.
Chemotaxonomic methods to distinguish sources
of sedimentary organic matter and to identify the
processes that influence the transfer and
preservation of organic matter in the geological
record. ENFORCED PREREQS: OC 550 OTHER
PREREQS: CH 332 or CH 336 and OC 450.
OC 659. SPECIAL TOPICS IN CHEMICAL
OCEANOGRAPHY (1-4). Special topics of current
interest in chemical oceanography not covered in
detail by other courses. May be repeated on
different topics for credit.
OC 660. PALEOCEANOGRAPHY (3). Large-scale
changes in the oceanic and atmospheric system,
as recorded in marine sediments, and their
implications for understanding global environment
changes. Chemical, physical, and biological
proxies for oceanic and atmospheric processes in
the geologic record period. Evidence for changing
global climate at time scales longer than the
historical record; the oceanic history of the LateCenozoic ice ages, long term evolution of climate
change patterns, catastrophic global
environmental events, and application of
quantitative models to the past. Current research
topics in paleoceanography. Offered alternate
years. ENFORCED PREREQS: OC 560 or OC 662
OTHER PREREQS: Or instructor approval
required.
OC 661. PLATE TECTONICS AND STRUCTURE OF
OCEAN BASINS (3). Evidence and predictions of
plate tectonic model; structure and evolution of
divergent and convergent plate margins; petrology
of oceanic crust and upper mantle; lithospheremantle interaction; evolution of oceanic
lithosphere; models for development of continental
margins. Offered alternate years. OTHER
PREREQS: One year each of physics, calculus,
and geology.
OC 662. PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND
BIOLOGICAL SEDIMENTATION IN THE OCEAN
(3). Fundamentals of transport, chemical
reactions, and biological processes in sediment
formation; including fluid flow and drag, threshold
and sedimentary bed forms, sources, facies and
budgets of sediments, early diagenetic reactions,
marine microfossil stratigraphy and
paleoceanographic interpretations. Offered
alternate years.
OC 663. GEOCHEMISTRY OF DEEP-SEA
SEDIMENT RECORD (3). Nature and distribution of
deep-sea deposits; factors controlling the
distribution of terrigenous, volcanic, biogenic, and
authigenic components; diagenesis and
redistribution at the ocean floor.
454
Oregon State University
OC 664. LITTORAL PROCESSES AND
SEDIMENTATION (3). Nearshore environmental
processes including an examination of real waves
(wave theories and their application, refraction,
diffraction, reflection, and breaking); generation of
longshore and rip currents, mechanics of
sediment transport on beaches, and features of
recent sediments. Offered alternate years. OTHER
PREREQS: General physics; integral and
differential calculus.
OC 665. APPLIED GEOSTATISTICS (4). Spatial
and stratigraphic characteristics of geologic data;
geologic data bases; application of matrix theory
to the solution of geologic problems; descriptive
models, predictive models, spatial models, and
stratigraphic and time-series models. Offered
alternate years. OTHER PREREQS: One year of
statistics and one year of computer science.
OC 666. ISOTOPIC MARINE GEOCHEMISTRY (3).
Radiogenic and light stable isotopes and
application to composition and evolution of the
suboceanic mantle, petrogenesis of the oceanic
crust, sediment provenance and sedimentary
processes, geochronology, seawater chemical
dynamics and paleoclimatology. Offered alternate
years.
OC 667. IGNEOUS PROCESSES IN THE OCEAN
BASINS (3). Origin and evolution of oceanic crust
including the origin and nature of chemical
heterogeneity and igneous rocks in the ocean
basins; interaction of mantle and lithosphere as
reflected in the topography of ocean basins;
hydrothermal processes and the alteration of
oceanic crust; geothermometry and geobarometry
of oceanic magmas; elementary fractionation
patterns and modeling of partial melting; fractional
crystallization in oceanic magmas. Offered
alternate years.
OC 668.THEORETICAL PETROLOGY (3).
Theoretical aspects of igneous petrology in marine
petrochemical processes. Igneous and
metamorphic geology; hydrothermal solutions.
Principles of energy, enthalpy, entropy. Equilibrium
processes of melting, crystallization, mineral
chemistry, geothermometers, geobarometers.
Offered alternate years. OTHER PREREQS:
Petrology.
OC 669. SPECIAL TOPICS IN GEOLOGICAL
OCEANOGRAPHY (1-4). Subjects of current
interest in geological oceanography, not covered
in depth in other courses. May be repeated on
different topics for credit.
OC 670. FLUID DYNAMICS (4). Fundamentals of
fluid dynamics: conservation laws of mass,
momentum, and energy; inviscid and viscous
flows; boundary layers; vorticity dynamics;
irrotational and potential flow. Offered annually.
OTHER PREREQS: One year of college physics;
mathematics through differential equations and
vector calculus.
OC 671. GEOPHYSICAL FLUID DYNAMICS (4).
Dynamics of rotating and stratified fluids, potential
vorticity, geostrophic motion; inviscid shallowwater theory, Poincare, Kelvin, and Rossby
waves; geostrophic adjustment, quasigeostrophic
approximation, Ekman layers, two-layer and
continuously stratified models. Offered annually.
ENFORCED PREREQS: OC 670
OC 672. THEORY OF OCEAN CIRCULATION (4).
Theory of steady and time-dependent large-scale
circulation in ocean basins. Effects of earth’s
curvature: the beta-plane approximation. The winddriven Sverdrup circulation, western boundary
currents, eastern boundary upwelling; the effects
of friction. Linear theory and nonlinear theory;
inertial gyres. Effects of buoyancy forcing;
heating, cooling, evaporation, precipitation;
density stratification. Wind- and buoyancy-forced
circulation in the thermocline; ventilation. Potential
vorticity conservation and homogenization.
Offered annually. ENFORCED PREREQS: OC 670
and OC 671
OC 673. DESCRIPTIVE PHYSICAL
OCEANOGRAPHY (4). Fundamental mass, force,
and energy balances of the ocean; geostrophy;
planetary boundary layers; wind-driven and
thermohaline circulation; vorticity; air-sea fluxes
of heat, salt, moisture and momentum. Application
of these balances through descriptive examination
of the ocean-global heat budget; surface current
systems; abyssal circulation. Study of variability
on a variety of time and space scales.
Instrumentation and platforms used for observing
the ocean. Offered annually. ENFORCED
PREREQS: OC 530 or OC 670 or ATS 515
OC 674. TURBULENCE (4). Governing equations,
turbulent kinetic energy, vorticity dynamics;
turbulent transports of mass and momentum;
statistical description of turbulent flows, spectral
dynamics; turbulent boundary layers, planetary
boundary layers in the atmosphere and ocean,
convective mixed layers, stable boundary layers;
deep ocean turbulence. Offered alternate years.
ENFORCED PREREQS: OC 670
OC 675. NUMERICAL MODELING IN OCEAN
CIRCULATION (4). Review of theoretical models of
ocean circulation, including shallow water,
barotropic, quasigeostrophic, and primitive
equation models; adjustment times, internal length
and time scales; the role of advection,
bathymetry, and coastlines; global models, basin
models, regional models and models of jets,
eddies and boundary currents. Review of
numerical techniques and problems specific to
ocean modeling. Local facilities are used to
develop models on remote supercomputers.
ENFORCED PREREQS: OC 670 and MTH 625 and
MTH 626 OTHER PREREQS: Or equivalent, and a
working knowledge of FORTRAN.
OC 676. INVERSE MODELING AND DATA
ASSIMILATION (4). Survey of methods for
combining oceanographic observations and
observing systems with numerical models of
ocean circulation. Topics include: finitedimensional least squares theory with inequality
constraints; optimal interpolation; the
representation theory of smoothing; the Kalman
smoother and filter; gradient descent methods for
minimization; spatial and temporal regularity of
filters and smoothers; linear theory of array
design; nonlinear optimization, practical
assimilation methods. OTHER PREREQS: Strong
background in linear algebra and advanced
calculus, geophysical fluid dynamics, numerical
modeling of ocean circulation.
OC 678. SATELLITE OCEANOGRAPHY (3). Theory
and applications of satellite remote sensing
observations of the ocean with emphasis on
strengths and limitations in the measurements.
Topics include review of electricity and
magnetism, absorption and scattering in the
atmosphere (radiative transfer), satellite orbital
mechanics, measurements of ocean color,
infrared remote sensing, microwave radiometry,
scatterometry, and satellite altimetry. Offered
alternate years. OTHER PREREQS: MTH 252,
PH 212 or equivalent.
OC 679. SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHYSICAL
OCEANOGRAPHY (1-4). Subjects of current
interest in physical oceanography, not covered in
depth in other courses. May be repeated on
different topics for credit.
OC 680. STABILITY OF GEOPHYSICAL FLUID
FLOWS (4). Baroclinic instability—linear and
nonlinear stability problems; models of Eady and
Charney. Instability of parallel shear flow—linear
inviscid theory; Rayleigh’s theorem; nonlinear
contour dynamics; effects of stratification; TaylorGoldstein equation. Thermal instability—the linear
Rayleigh-Bernard problem; nonlinear models; the
Lorenz equations, chaos and strange attractors.
Geostrophic turbulence—resonant Rossby wave
interactions; energy and entropy. Instability of
nonparallel flow—Arnold’s criteria. ENFORCED
PREREQS: OC 670
OC 681. GEOPHYSICAL WAVES (4).
Fundamentals of wave dynamics applied to
geophysical fluids. Hyperbolic waves—linear and
nonlinear; characteristics; shock waves.
Dispersive waves—linear waves, dispersion
relations, group velocity; isotropic and anisotropic
dispersion; nonlinear solitary waves. Application to
geophysical waves—surface gravity, capillary,
internal gravity, Kelvin, planetary, coastal. Offered
alternate years. ENFORCED PREREQS: OC 670
OC 682. DATA ANALYSIS IN THE TIME AND
SPACE DOMAINS (3). Theory of classical and
modern techniques for analysis of data in the time
and space domains with applications to real
oceanographic and atmospheric data. Topics
include correlation analysis, regression analysis,
EOF analysis, objective mapping, interpolation,
filtering, sampling errors, and confidence tests.
Offered alternate years. ENFORCED PREREQS:
OC 608 OTHER PREREQS: MTH 341, MTH 342,
MTH 418, ST 314, and a working knowledge of
Matlab, IDL, or FORTRAN.
OC 683. DATA ANALYSIS IN THE FREQUENCY
AND WAVE NUMBER DOMAINS (3). Theory of
classical and modern techniques for analysis of
data in the frequency and wavenumber domains
with applications to real oceanographic and
atmospheric data. Topics include sampling theory,
one-dimensional autospectral analysis,
multidimensional autospectral analysis, coherence
and phase analysis, bi-spectral analysis, wavelet
analysis, and confidence tests. Offered alternate
years. CROSSLISTED as ATS 683. ENFORCED
PREREQS: OC 608 OTHER PREREQS: MTH 341,
MTH 342, MTH 418, ST 314, and a working
knowledge of Matlab, IDL, or FORTRAN.